Private early care in pregnancy 

Early pregnancy refers to the first trimester, from conception up to 12 weeks. When you’re trying for a baby, a positive pregnancy test can feel incredibly exciting, especially if you have taken a while to conceive. And while this stage marks the beginning of amazing growth and transformation, it can also be challenging for many women.

Hormonal changes, physical symptoms, previous pregnancy loss, and various other concerns about the health of your pregnancy can make this time both physically and emotionally demanding. You might also be experiencing some of the more common early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and extreme tiredness, which can seriously interrupt daily life.

That’s why taking care of yourself during the early weeks of pregnancy is crucial. We offer you tailored support and expert care – from nutrition advice to pregnancy scans – to help ensure that you’re laying the right foundations for yourself and your baby during this period of rapid growth and change.

The women’s healthcare team at our clinic aim to address your unique needs, so you feel informed and supported from the very beginning of your pregnancy.

Working together, our team can give you expert, integrated care, with a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing. This includes:

• Consultant Gynaecologists Specialists in maternal health who can address any complex needs or concerns.
• GPs: Offering personalised medical advice and support for your overall health during pregnancy.
• Consultant Obstetricians: Experts in managing pregnancy-related conditions and providing tailored care for expectant mothers.
• Ultrasound specialists: Highly skilled professionals providing accurate and compassionate ultrasound imaging.

An early pregnancy scan is an ultrasound (typically performed transvaginally) that is designed to confirm and assess your pregnancy between 5 and 11 weeks. 

This scan can provide vital information, such as:

• Confirming the location of the pregnancy (to rule out ectopic pregnancy)
• Checking the number of embryos and identifying twin or multiple pregnancies
• Measuring the gestational sac and foetal heartbeat
• Estimating your due date

Our advanced ultrasound technology allows our experienced team to gain clear, detailed imaging to give you the reassurance you need during this time. 

All early pregnancy scans and consultations are carried out by our highly trained ultrasound specialist, Ms Ciara McKenna

You might be wondering about the types of tests you can have during pregnancy, and when. Of course, choosing whether to have certain tests is a very personal decision, and you may want to investigate and discuss options with one of our team.

Non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) are blood tests that look at your baby’s DNA, and provide insights into their health as early as 10 weeks. These tests, while not diagnostic, are highly accurate screening tests and pose no risk to you or your baby.

We offer several NIPT options, including:
 

• Illumina: this helps screen for common chromosomal conditions such as Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, and Patau syndrome.
• Panorama™with Q22 Deletion: includes testing for a wider range of conditions, including 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
• The Panorama™Extended Panel: this gives you the most comprehensive screening available, covering rare genetic conditions.

Highly advanced NIPT tests such as these can offer you reassurance and peace of mind during early pregnancy, helping to inform your decisions about further care and planning.

Yes. We offer a variety of flexible packages designed to suit your specific needs. For example, you can combine an early viability scan with a non-invasive prenatal test or schedule a nuchal translucency scan alongside NIPT for a more comprehensive picture of your baby’s health.

Our ultrasound specialist is here to guide you through the available options, helping you to choose what feels right for you and your pregnancy.

Even very early pregnancy loss can be traumatic, and we understand that conceiving after a loss (or losses) can bring about a range of complicated emotions. You may well spend the first few weeks feeling anxious about everything from the symptoms you’re having (or not having) to your emotional wellbeing. This is completely understandable.

If you’ve experienced multiple losses (often referred to as recurrent miscarriage), we understand how overwhelming early pregnancy can feel. Our experienced Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist specialises in helping women who have experienced pregnancy loss. Whether you are seeking answers, reassurance, or tailored care during your current pregnancy, they will work closely with you to provide the support you need.

This can include:

• In depth reviews of your medical history and any previous pregnancy complications
• Diagnostic tests to investigate potential causes of recurrent miscarriage
• Individualised care plans to help optimise your chances of a healthy pregnancy